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Real take-home pay. Real running costs. Real cars you can buy today.
Enter your salary, outgoings, and preferences. We calculate your true disposable income, show you three honest budget tiers, and match you to vehicles with exclusive Motor Source Group discounts already applied — so every price you see is the price you pay.
We calculate your actual take-home using 2025/26 UK tax and National Insurance rates — not a rough estimate.
Most car budget tools give a single figure based on gross salary and a generic rate. This one uses your actual numbers.
Calculated using the exact 2025/26 UK income tax and National Insurance thresholds. Not an estimate — the number HMRC would recognise.
Rent, bills, existing credit commitments, and any car savings factored in before a tier is applied. What you see is what you genuinely have available.
Comfortable, Stretch, and Maximum tiers applied to your disposable income. Insurance, fuel, road tax, and servicing calculated separately so the full picture is visible upfront.
Applied to your disposable income after all fixed commitments — not your gross salary. That distinction is what makes this framework realistic rather than theoretical.
The most financially sound choice. Leaves room for savings and emergencies. Well-equipped models across most popular manufacturers — particularly with Motor Source Group discounts applied.
Where most buyers land. Opens a wider range of new vehicles. Still comfortable provided you have a reasonable emergency fund. With Motor Source Group discounts, premium models frequently fall into this tier.
Consider only with no significant existing debt and at least 3 months of expenses in a separate emergency fund. The monthly payment is only part of the total commitment at this level.
Cash is almost always the more financially sound choice — but the right decision depends on your savings position, your emergency buffer, and what you want to drive.
On a £25,000 car financed at a representative APR over 48 months, you would typically pay several thousand pounds in interest. Cash eliminates this cost entirely.
Finance converts the true cost into a small-looking monthly figure. Cash forces you to confront the real number — which keeps spending in check.
No lender mileage restrictions, no contract obligations, no early termination charges.
Many buyers save over two to four years with a specific car in mind. Those funds sit outside your monthly budget ratios entirely — they can cover the purchase outright or form a substantial deposit that brings new cars within reach.
Applied to your annual net income. Car savings you have built up sit outside these ratios and are applied directly to the purchase.
Salary is the starting point, but it is not the whole picture. Your actual car budget depends on your take-home pay after tax, your monthly outgoings, and how much of your disposable income you are prepared to allocate. The calculator above gives you your personalised figure. The guide below shows what typically opens up at each common UK salary level — with Motor Source Group discounts applied.
All monthly figures below assume average outgoings of around £1,000 per month (rent, bills, and existing commitments). If your outgoings are higher or lower, use the calculator for your exact number.
After typical outgoings, a comfortable car budget at this salary level sits between £150 and £250 per month. That range opens up a genuine selection of brand-new cars — not just the cheapest options on the market. With Motor Source Group discounts applied, models from Dacia, Citroen, SEAT, Skoda, and MG all come within reach at this level.
If you have been saving specifically for a car, a deposit of £3,000 to £5,000 shifts the picture significantly — bringing mid-range models into your monthly budget that would otherwise sit above it.
For a full breakdown of new cars available at this price point, see our guide to the best cars under £20,000 in 2026.
This is the salary range that covers the majority of UK keyworkers — NHS nurses, teachers, police constables, firefighters, and junior civil servants. After average outgoings, a comfortable car budget lands between £250 and £400 per month. At the Stretch tier, that rises to £350 – £500 per month.
At this level the choice genuinely opens up. Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Karoq, Ford Puma, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Renault 5 are all well within reach at the Stretch tier with Motor Source Group discounts applied. Cars that are listed at £25,000 or more on the forecourt regularly come in at significantly less through our negotiated pricing.
Our guide to the best cars under £25,000 in 2026 covers the strongest options at this price point in detail.
At this salary level — covering senior nurses, experienced teachers, police sergeants, and mid-career professionals — a comfortable car budget typically runs from £350 to £550 per month. This is where premium brands and larger models become genuinely accessible, particularly with the savings Motor Source Group negotiates directly with manufacturers.
Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A3, Skoda Kodiaq, Ford Kuga, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are all realistic at the Stretch tier. Electric vehicles also become a compelling option here — with lower running costs offsetting the slightly higher finance payment, the total monthly cost often compares favourably with an equivalent petrol model.
For a curated breakdown of what is available at this price point, visit our guide to the best cars under £30,000 in 2026.
With a salary above £50,000 — covering consultants, senior military officers, headteachers, and senior civil servants — the full range of mainstream and premium models is accessible. A comfortable car budget comfortably exceeds £500 per month, and the Stretch tier extends well into premium SUV territory.
At this level, the Motor Source Group discount has its largest absolute impact. Savings of £5,000 to £8,000 or more are common on premium models — which means the car you are driving is often considerably better specification than the monthly payment alone would suggest.
The table below assumes average outgoings of £1,000 per month. Use the calculator above for your exact figure with your actual commitments deducted.
| Gross Salary | Monthly Take-Home | Comfortable (15%) | Stretch (25%) | Maximum (35%) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | approx £1,520 | £77/mo | £128/mo | £179/mo | Cars under £20k |
| £25,000 | approx £1,800 | £120/mo | £200/mo | £280/mo | Cars under £25k |
| £30,000 | approx £2,100 | £165/mo | £275/mo | £385/mo | Cars under £30k |
| £35,000 | approx £2,400 | £210/mo | £350/mo | £490/mo | Cars under £30k |
| £40,000 | approx £2,700 | £255/mo | £425/mo | £595/mo | Cars under £30k |
| £50,000 | approx £3,100 | £315/mo | £525/mo | £735/mo | Cars under £30k |
Monthly budget figures shown after deducting estimated outgoings of £1,000/month. 15% Comfortable, 25% Stretch, and 35% Maximum tiers applied to remaining disposable income. Car payment budget only — insurance, fuel, road tax, and servicing are additional. Use the calculator above for your exact personalised figure.
Budgets are calculated using 2025/26 UK income tax and National Insurance rates.
We are proud to work in partnership with all NHS Trusts and several Health Care organisations to further support our NHS and Health Care professionals.
Find out more about these partnerships by clicking the logos below.
